Advanced Prepress Graphics

Today's flexo platemaking systems offer printers a variety of options to match their costs, quality, and speed needs. FOR MORE THAN a few flips of the calendar, flexography has held top billing as the fastest growing printing method for labels and packaging. Boosted by an impressive succession of technological advances, this once red-headed stepchild of the pressroom has become our industry's new darling. Despite a developing threat from digital printing just over the horizon, flexo appears capable of maintaining its favored position, too. Its attractive economics and suitability for a wide range of packaging applications—especially for flexible packaging—are certain to keep flexo's popularity on

Advanced Prepress Graphics Flexo prepress tradeshop producing Cyrel high-definition flexo plates and film. Visit www.flexoprepress.com Agfa Offers the Thermostar P970-ideal for VLF applications-and the Thermostar P971 thermal imaging plate. Visit www.agfa.com ANDERSON & VREELAND Complete selection of digital prepress systems and conventional photopolymer plate processors and plate mounters. Platemaking materials include a broad range of solvent and water-wash sheet photopolymer, liquid photopolymer, rubber compounds, matrix and accessories. Visit andersonvreeland.com BASF Corp. Offers full line of nyloflex®, nyloprint® photopolymer printing plates, platemaking equipment for flexographic, letterpress, gravure applications; and K+E inks for sheetfed, web offset printing. Visit basf.com/printingsystems Beta Industries The Betaflex 334

Flexo plate costs aren't likely to decrease dramatically until platemaking production is made fully digital. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor PLATE EVOLUTION WILL always set the stage for further development of flexographic printing. But with the invention and advancement of "newer, better" systems and materials, inevitably comes the demand for "cheaper." Unfortunately, as plate manufacturers and prepress providers alike testify, a dramatic decrease in flexo plate prices won't be feasible until processing and production become substantially more simplified. Better conventional plate processing There are various methods for improving efficiency within the flexo platemaking process as it exists today. A primary cost-reduction strategy involves

While some suppliers continue to pursue digital platemaking, others remain focused on conventional exposure and processing. by Kate Tomlinson, Assistant Editor THE WORLD IS digital. Digital phones, digital cable, and DVDs (digital video discs) are today's reality—will digital plates make way into every pressroom next? More and more suppliers are working to make digital plates commonplace. But how long will it be before every printer has adopted this approach? The future of digital plates "Without a doubt, once digital platemaking systems come full circle, they will be able to offer printers something they can always use more of—time," says Paul Zeinert, manager of

Advanced Prepress Graphics Flexo prepress tradeshop producing Cyrel high-definition flexo plates and film. Announcing two new formats: 42 in. x 80 in. plates and 36 in. x 44 in. film output. E-mail flexoplates@aol.com. Visit www.flexoprepress.com Agfa Lithostar Ultra plates are high-resolution aluminum plates that can be handled in yellow safelight conditions. The Thermostar P970 is the ideal choice for VLF applications, while the Thermostar P971 thermal imaging plate is optimized for internal drum infrared systems. For high-quality, fine screen work, Agfa offers the Howson Primera. Robust coating and substrate structure make the Howson Super Marathon perfect for long runs. Visit www.agfa.com